Obituaries Australia

By the death of Mr. John Whalan we have lost from amongst us one of the earliest settlers in this district. Mr. John McLean Whalan was the son of Sergeant Charles Whalan, late of Prospect, who was orderly during his life in Australia to Governor Macquarie. He came to this district in 1842 – just 60 years ago – with his brother Charles (who was the actual discoverer of the Jenolan Caves, and assisted in the capture of McEwan, the bushranger, whose hiding-place was the gully near the Caves, now known as "McEwan's Hole") and settled at "Glendyr," one of the finest properties in the district. About 25 years ago he came to Edith, and rented a place on the "Buckemall Creek," where he lived till his death on Friday morning. Mr. Whalan lived to the ripe old age of 81, and until about twelve months ago could be seen chopping wood, milking, and doing odd jobs about his home, but latterly he became very feeble, and shortly after Xmas contracted the illness to which he succumbed; he passed away quietly and painlessly on Friday morning at seven o'clock. He married twice, and leaves a widow and grown-up family of five sons and two daughters, of whom two only are single. Mr. Whalan was engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life, and was one of those good-hearted, conscientious men, whose word was as good as his oath. He took great interest in the daily news, particularly in political affairs, and was ever ready to uphold the policy of protection against any casual freetrader with whom he came in contact. The funeral cortege left his late residence at 10 o'clock on Sunday morning and was followed by fully 200 persons to the old Wesleyan cemetery, where the body was interred, alongside many other members of his family. So has passed away a man mourned by his very numerous relations and connections, and honoured and esteemed by all who knew him.